Plastic is a major issue in the twenty-first century and we are only just coming to terms with how damaging this material is on our planet and the oceans. At Fanfare we believe very strongly that we all should try and cut plastic out from our everyday lives and that is why we try to reduce our plastic usage where possible. You will find that nothing in our garments contain plastic. We are using business to inspire solutions to this issue and therefore welcome any suggestions. See below 10 ways to reduce plastic waste in your home.
The oceans give us life and we give them plastic, everyone has a role to play and there are various ways you change your lifestyle to fit in with your beliefs below.
Join the challenge of Parley Air – they have a strategy to end marine plastic pollution. To help them with this strategy we must find ways to reduce plastic waste in our homes. A massive amount of plastic rubbish ends up in our oceans every year. The world’s ocean currents have formed five gigantic slow-moving whirlpools nicknamed Vortex’s, where the plastic collects. Recent studies indicate that at least 5 trillion pieces of plastic weighing over 250,000 tons are now floating in the world's oceans. The majority of the plastic debris sinks or remains in the Vortexes, however a significant percentage of it washes onto our coastlines daily. New studies show that ingested plastic damages the internal organs of fish. This raises the question about the safety of our seafood. http://air.parley.tv/
Carry reusable shopping bags – The UK has greatly improved in this area, but still trying to take your own bag rather than paying 5p makes a big difference. Keep one in your car and remember reusable bags are not just for supermarket shopping.
Ditch bottled water – in London it is tricky as we do not have super fresh water. However it is so important because not only does water come in a plastic bottle but huge amounts of resources are used to extract, bottle and ship it.
Carry a metal water bottle around – there are plenty of stainless-steel water bottles out there still meaning you can carry water with you where ever you go. Try one that keeps cold drinks cold and hot drinks hot for dual efficiency.
Cut out fizzy drinks, juices and other plastic bottle drinks – or at least cut down on them. Try eating fruit instead of drinking fruit juice or replace plastic with glass bottles. I am still campaigning to find a company that recycles its containers so if you have any suggestions let us know.
Ecocover cleaning products – Ecocover is a brilliant company for many reasons, in particular they are encouraging everyone to reuse, refill, and recycle wherever possible. That’s why all their bottles and caps are designed to be recycled. And by 2020 they are committed to using only recycled plastic in all their bottles.
Buy fresh bread that comes in either paper bags or no bags. One use plastic packaging at supermarkets is so wasteful. You can buy bread from most farmers markets or natural food stores that only come in paper packaging. However, this is now widely available in most supermarkets. When doing you weekly shop always look for the alternatives. Fresh bread is more expensive but it is often healthier so there are two benefits.
Choose glass milk bottles instead of plastic where possible try to use the returnable glass bottles rather than plastic or plastic coated cardboard.
Wine with corks without plastic screw caps available in most supermarkets try and shop wine with the natural cork stoppers.
No plastic in the supermarket to reduce plastic waste when purchasing fruit and vegetables without the one use plastic packaging will make a big difference. Loose fruit and veg will be one of the best ways to reduce plastic in your home. I know there is the worry that they might get dirty but just make sure you wash them thoroughly when you get home or put them into your re-usable bags.
I hope this helps and as always please leave your comments and suggestions too for ways to reduce plastic waste in your home.